CREATIVEECONOMYGlobal profile for creative industries
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THE RDA MAGAZINE JUNE 2008 ISSUE 15
Haven for enterpriseNew drive for business growth
Bluecoat rebornRejuvenated arts centre debut
Adventure unlimitedCumbria chases thrill seekers
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THE THIRD DEGREE
Sir Philip Craven
BUSINESS
Growth plan for digital & creative sector
Region joins race for London 2012 business
Resource efficiency drive
Pilotless plane market taking off
Feeding the green shoots of enterprise
Star role for women entrepreneurs
SKILLS AND EDUCATION
University builds healthy economy
PEOPLE AND JOBS
Blackburn poised for a brighter future
Agency unveils ERDF programme
Drive to improve workplace health
More resources to grow rural economy
INFRASTRUCTURE
Rail schemes help economy to grow
QUALITY OF LIFE
Visitor success for cultural showcase
Museum boost for heritage tourism
Thrill seekers head for Cumbria
REGULARS
People in the region
Event highlights
Getting in touch
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CONTENTS HIGHLIGHTS
OUR VISION:
A dynamic, sustainableinternational economy whichcompetes on the basis ofknowledge, advancedtechnology and an excellentquality of life for all.
CONTACTS
Editor Trevor [email protected]
NWDARachel Ormandyemail: [email protected]: 01925 400 237
visit www.nwda.co.uk &www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
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HAVEN FOR ENTERPRISEA package of new proposalsto unlock the Northwest'sfull enterprise potential hasbeen unveiled by the NWDA.
BLUECOAT REBORNThe re-opening weekend ofthe Bluecoat centre forcontemporary art, aninheritance of LiverpoolsCapital of Culture 2008 title,attracted over 10,000 people.
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THE RDA MAGAZINE JUNE 2008 ISSUE 15
ADVENTURE UNLIMITEDPromoted as the biggestadventure playground in thecountry, Cumbria has ambitiousplans to become the adventurecapital of the UK by 2012.
Photo: Deana Clarke
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3The SNR calls for a stronger, more strategicrole for RDAs, and is designed to strengthenthe importance of economic priorities at aregional, sub-regional and local level. In manyways it reflects the strengths of our existingapproach in the Northwest and our strongrelationships with business, Government Officefor the North West, the North West RegionalAssembly and Local Authorities.
Here in the Northwest we have alreadybegun to take the first steps in developing andimplementing an integrated regional strategyfor economic development, planning,housing and transport. Working with partners,we are currently agreeing clear priorities forthe region and identifying how we canstrengthen capacity where needed to delivereconomic development.
It is clear that the secret to the regionssuccess thus far has been down todetermination, setting clear priorities andstrong partnership working. Im pleased thatmany of our partners in the region continue toshare this ambition and vision for theNorthwest. I would like to thank you for yourongoing support in helping to make this visiona reality.
The progress of the region over the past 5years has been remarkable. Our major citieshave experienced unprecedented growth andwe have created over 180,000 new jobs andsecured 2.4 billion of private sectorinvestment. We have been able to achieve thisbecause as a region we have agreed ourpriorities and have been determined to deliveron these.
The Agencys strong focus on providingstrategic leadership has played a vital role inensuring we create new economicopportunities and tangible results for theregional economy. As outlined in theRegional Economic Strategy (RES), it is clearthat the focus on investing in significanttransformational projects is alreadypaying dividends and impacting positivelyon our economy.
April 1st marked the start of an importantperiod for the Agency in terms ofstrengthening our strategic leadership role aswe took responsibility as Chair of Chairs forthe 9 Regional Development Agencies. Thisrequires the Agency to act as the direct linkinto central Government on behalf of the wholeRDA network until October 2008.
The Chair of Chairs period will bechallenging, however it will also give theAgency greater impact at a national level, ahigher profile and added responsibility foragreeing new goals and targets that willdetermine activity in the Northwest andthroughout the country, particularly as theGovernments Sub-National Review (SNR)takes shape.
CHAIRMANS MESSAGE
LEADINGTHE REGION2008 marks another significant and successful year for both the NWDAand the region as we make important progress in driving forward ourstrong ambition for Englands Northwest to continue the transformationof our economy.
Bryan Gray, Chairman,May 2008
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4THE THIRD DEGREE
Sir Philip Craven is aninspirational figure in the worldof sport. Born, educated and stillliving in the Northwest, hetriumphed over a disablingaccident as a teenager tobecome a five time paralympianin wheelchair basketball(1972-88) and a distinguishedcontributor and administrator inthe field of paralympic sport.He is a Board Member on theLondon 2012 OrganisingCommittee for the Olympicand Paralympic Games (LOCOG)with responsibility for theNorthwest and Presidentof the InternationalParalympic Committee.
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The region seems to be developing a talentfor staging major international sportsevents. Whats the recipe for success?
People in the Northwest are passionateabout sport, whether its football, rugby,cycling or swimming. Thanks to the 2002Manchester Commonwealth Games we alsohave the infrastructure.
How did you get into sport?I always loved sport when I was at Bolton
School. They wanted me on the school teamat swimming, tennis and cricket but not atfootball! Then I had my accident and the firstday in bed at the Northwest Spinal InjuriesUnit at Southport I saw wheelchairbasketball being played outdoors. It causedme to think that my plight was no big dealand I could still play sport. Wheelchairbasketball suited me perfectly. I was no goodat football but pretty good with my hands.Things just snowballed from there nationallyand internationally.
Tell us about the accident - how did youbecome disabled?
I fell rock climbing in Wilton Quarries, arecognised millstone grit climbing areaNorth of Bolton, when I was 16. I stood upafter the fall then sat down and that musthave caused a break in my spine. But it hasnot stopped me enjoying life to the full.I travel the world three or four times a yearand Im away from my home nearCrewe 200 to 210 days on olympic andparalympic duties.
So disability is no barrier to achievinggreat things?
Absolutely. A lot of the barriers that peopleperceive have been knocked down bypersons with a perceived disability becausewe are just not standing for being treateddifferently. We are people of the world likeanyone else. I dont like the word disabled its a negativity and shouldnt be used. Thegreat thing about paralympic athletes is thatthey get on with using what works and dontworry about what doesnt.
What are your aspirations for theLondon 2012 Olympic Games andParalympic Games?
This is a fantastic opportunity for thiscountry and Im confident LOCOG is going toput on a really great Games. But its thewider effect the Games can have on thepopulation that excites me. We hear a lotabout the obesity problem and the need formore people to engage in physical activity.Sport is an ideal and enjoyable route to ahealthier lifestyle. Its also a way of educatingyoung people in life skills so lets get theminvolved, even if its only playing football oncea week in the park, and lets get parents notbeing fearful of letting kids play out.
Where do the regions fit in the schemeof things?
Make no mistake these are the nationsGames. Its great that the nine regions ofEngland and the three home nations aremobilising themselves to play a full part inthis incredible celebration of sport andculture. It will put fresh energy into theregions in terms of new business, tourismand cultural opportunities. Apart from thepure supply contracts theres the addedvalue of making companies betterprepared for international competition, to goout and sell.
Are there any parallels to be drawnwith the 2002 ManchesterCommonwealth Games?
Yes. In my opinion I dont think we had anychance of winning the 2012 Games becauseBritain did not have a good reputation forstaging international events until Manchesterstaged the highly successful CommonwealthGames. The legacy is that theCommonwealth Games helped us turn thecorner and laid some of the foundations forwhat we hope will be a very successful andrewarding Games in 2012. It also left behinda valuable sporting infrastructure, whichcontributes to our improving performance ina number of sports.
So you can see a correlation betweenhaving the Manchester Velodrome andBritain winning seven gold medals at therecent World Cycling Championships?
For sure! It shows that British cycling hasmaximised the use of the facilities. If youlook around the world that doesnt alwayshappen. Some wonderful facilities turn out tobe white elephants because they areunderused. The other outstanding legacyexample is the main stadium at Sportcity,which is now the home of Manchester CityFC. Great forwa
